In 1867-1868 the Kansas Pacific Railroad was being built in the heart of buffalo country. From points west of Hays fresh meat was hazardous to obtain due to hostile Indians so the railroad employed hunters to provide fresh buffalo meat for the crews. "Buffalo Bill" was one of the buffalo hunters. Riding his favorite horse "Brigham" and with the aid of his Md. 1866 Springfield rifle "Lucretia Borgia", a 50-70 caliber, Buffalo Bill fulfilled his contract with the railroad as far west as Sheridan.

The 9,000 pound, twice life-sized bronze sculpture commemorates the 1868 contest between William F. Cody, Fort Hays buffalo hunter for local railroad workers, and William Comstock, who hunted buffalo to feed soldiers at nearby Fort Wallace.

The contest happened just 10 miles west of Oakley. William Cody won by shooting 69 buffalo to Comstock's 46, earning Cody the life-long title of "Buffalo Bill." You can hear the whole story about the legendary hunt by tuning in radio station 1610 once you are there. The site also has a history story board and photo-op cutouts of Buffalo Bill, Sitting Bull and Annie Oakley, as well as a gift shop

From I-70 take exit 70 and go south for about five miles, or take exit 76 and go west on U.S. 40 to where U.S. 83 goes north. It's just across the railroad tracks. The sculpture and story board are available for viewing 24 hours a day. The Buffalo Bill Cultural and Visitor Center and gift shop is open Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday 11 a.m.-5 p.m.